Space

Fire-safe polymers are polymers that are resistant to degradation at high temperatures. There is

need for fire-resistant polymers in the construction of small, enclosed spaces such as skyscrapers,
boats, and airplane cabins. in these tight spaces, ability to escape in the event of a fire is
compromised, increasing fire risk. In fact, some studies report that about 20% of victims of
airplane crashes are killed not by the crash itself but by ensuing fires. fire-safe polymers also find
application as adhesives in aerospace materials, insulation for electronics, and in military materials
such as canvas tenting.

Some fire-safe polymers naturally exhibit an intrinsic resistance to decomposition, while others are

synthesized by incorporating fire-resistant additives and fillers. Current research in developing fire-
safepolymers is focused on modifying various properties of the polymers such as ease of ignition,
rate of heat release, and the evolution of smoke and toxic gases

Research on fire-retardant polymers was bolstered by the need for new types of synthetic

polymers in world war ii. The combination of a halogenated paraffin and antimony oxide was found
to be successful as a fire retardant for canvas tenting. Syntheses of polymers, such as polyesters,
with fire retardant monomers were also developed around this time. incorporating flame-resistant
additives into polymers became a common and relatively cheap way to reduce the flammability
of polymers,[6] while synthesizing intrinsically fire-resistant polymers has remained a more
expensive alternative, although the properties of these polymers are usually more efficient at
deterring combustion.

Most intrinsically fire-resistant polymers are made by incorporation of aromatic cycles or

heterocycles, which lend rigidity and stability to the polymers.[9] Polyimides, polybenzoxazoles
(PBOs), polybenzimidazoles, and polybenzthiazoles (PBTs) are examples of polymers made with
aromatic heterocycles

A gasket is a mechanical seal that fills the space between two mating surfaces,may also be called
a seal, generally to prevent leakage from or into the joined objects while under compression.
Gaskets save money by allowing "less-than-perfect" mating surfaces on machine parts which can
use a gasket to fill irregularities. Gaskets are commonly produced by cutting from sheet materials,
such as gasket paper, rubber, silicone, metal, cork, felt, neoprene,nitrile rubber, fiberglass, or
a plastic polymer (such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene). Gaskets for specific applications may
contain asbestos. It is usually desirable that the gasket be made from a material that is to some
degree yielding such that it is able to deform and tightly fills the space it is designed for, including
any slight irregularities. A few gaskets require an application of sealant directly to the gasket
surface to function properly.

Agriculture

Butyl rubber—also known as polyisobutylene and PIB (C4H8)n is a synthetic rubber,

a homopolymer of 2-methyl-1-propene. Polyisobutylene is produced by polymerization of about
98% of isobutylenewith about 2% of isoprene. Structurally, polyisobutylene
resembles polypropylene, having two methyl groups substituted on every other carbon atom. It
has excellent impermeability, and the longpolyisobutylene segments of its polymer chains give it
good flex properties. Polyisobutylene is a colorless to light yellow viscoelastic material. It is
generally odorless and tasteless, though it may exhibit a slight characteristic odor.
Polyisobutylene is used in making adhesives, agricultural chemicals,fiber
optic compounds, caulks and sealants, cling film, electrical fluids, lubricants (2 cycle engine oil),
paper and pulp, personal care products, pigment concentrates, for rubber and polymer
modification, for protecting and sealing certain equipment for use in areas where chemical
weapons are present, as a gasoline/diesel fuel additive, and even in chewing gum. The first major
application of butyl rubber was tire inner tubes. This remains an important segment of its market
even today.

Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) is
a biodegradable, thermoplastic, aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources, such
as corn starch (in the U.S.) orsugarcanes (rest of world). Although PLA has been known for more
than a century, it has only been of commercial interest in recent years, in light of its
biodegradability.

Stereocomplex blends of PDLA and PLLA have a wide range of applications, such as woven shirts
(ironability), microwavable trays, hot-fill applications and even engineering plastics (in this case,
the stereocomplex is blended with a rubber-like polymer such as ABS). Such blends also have
good form-stability and visual transparency, making them useful for low-end packaging
applications. Progress in bio-technology has resulted in the development of commercial production
of the D enantiomer form, something that was not possible until recently.[

PLA has also been used in France to serve as the binder in Isonat Nat’isol, an hemp fiber building
insulation.

PLA is a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-derived products, since the lactides from which it

is ultimately produced can be derived from the fermentation of agricultural by-products such
as corn starch[3] or other carbohydrate-rich substances like maize, sugar or wheat.

Building
Construction applications: Superplasticizers with AMPS are used to reduce water
in concrete formulations. Benefits of these additives include improved strength, improved
workability, improved durability of cement mixtures.[22] Redispersible polymer powder, when AMPS
is introduced, in cement mixtures control air pore content and prevent agglomeration of powders
during the spray-drying process from the powder manufacturing and storage.[23] Coating
formulations with AMPS-containing polymers prevent calcium ions from being formed as lime on
concrete surface and improve the appearance and durability of coating.

Construction: Silicon dioxide or silica in the form of sand and clay is an important ingredient

of concrete and brick and is also used to produce Portland cement.

Two part epoxy coatings were developed for heavy duty service on metal substrates and use less
energy than heat-cured powder coatings. These systems use a 4:1 by volume mixing ratio, and
dries quickly providing a tough, UV resistant, protective coating with excellent ultimate hardness.
Their low volatility and water clean up makes them useful for factory cast iron, cast steel, cast
aluminum applications and reduces exposure and flammability issues associated with solvent-
borne coatings. They are usually used in industrial and automotive applications since they are
more heat resistant than latex-based and alkyd-based paints.

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer has over the past two decades become an increasingly notable material
used in structural engineering applications. Studied in an academic context as to its potential benefits in
construction, it has also proved itself cost-effective in a number of field applications strengthening
concrete, masonry, steel, cast iron, and timber structures. Its use in industry can be either for retrofitting
to strengthen an existing structure or as an alternative reinforcing (or prestressing material) instead of
steel from the outset of a project.
Retrofitting has become the increasingly dominant use of the material in civil engineering, and applications
include increasing the load capacity of old structures (such as bridges) that were designed to tolerate far
lower service loads than they are experiencing today, seismic retrofitting, and repair of damaged
structures. Retrofitting is popular in many instances as the cost of replacing the deficient structure can
greatly exceed its strengthening using CFRP

Polyester epoxies are used as powder coatings for washers, driers and other "white
goods". Fusion Bonded Epoxy Powder Coatings (FBE) are extensively used for corrosion
protection of steel pipes and fittings 

Space
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer or carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP or CRP), is a very strong, light, and
expensive composite material or fiber-reinforced polymer. Similar to fiberglass (glass reinforced polymer),
the composite material is commonly referred to by the name of its reinforcing fibers (carbon fiber).
The polymer is most often epoxy, but other polymers, such as polyester, vinyl ester or nylon, are
sometimes used. Some composites contain both carbon fiber and other fibers such as kevlar, aluminium,
and fiberglass reinforcement. The terms graphite-reinforced polymer or graphite fiber-reinforced
polymer (GFRP) are also used, but less commonly, since glass-(fiber)-reinforced polymer can also be
called GFRP. In product advertisements, it is sometimes referred to simply as graphite fiber (or graphite
fibre), for short.
It has many applications in aerospace .

In the aerospace industry, epoxy is used as a structural matrix material which is then reinforced by
fiber. Typical fiber reinforcements include glass, carbon, Kevlar, and boron. Epoxies are also used
as a structural glue. Materials like wood, and others that are 'low-tech' are glued with epoxy resin.
One example would be the RJ.03 IBIS homebuilt canard aircraft. This design is based on a classic
wooden lattice structured fuselage and a classic wooden spar, internally stiffened with foam and
completely covered with plywood. Except for the plywood covering the wings, everything is glued
with epoxy resin.